On Neo-Russian Nationalism

This is a research paper that delves into Russia's road of development, its prospect and the future of China-Russia relations from the perspective of Neo-Russian Nationalism.At the turn of the new millennium, Russia's road of development took a drastic turn from liberal capitalism of the Yelitsin time to national capitalism under the Putin administration in the new century, which has carried on and developed the traditional Russian nationalism.Although Chinese and foreign researchers have broad common understanding on the history and reality of Russian nationalism, they have fallen short of systematic and specialized research of it. Cognition of Russian nationalism in the academic circles is rather confused and has hindered to some extent current studies of Russian nationalism. Given such a situation and based on studies of the origins of nationalist theories, the thesis brings forth clearly defined concepts and views regarding nationalism, and proposes, after studying the comeback of nationalism in contemporary Russia, a notion of "Neo-Russian Nationalism" to sum up and analyze the Russian road of development that is taking shape and its impact on China-Russia relations. This thesis is intended to help people better appreciate the development trend of Russia and the prospect of China-Russia relations.This thesis of a total of 180,000 characters comprises an introduction and the main part. The introduction explains why this subject is chosen, the research methods and the basic argument of the thesis. The main part is divided into four chapters as follows:Chapter One is devoted to the origins of nationalist theories, analyzing, from a historical point of view, classical nationalism, neo-nationalism, contemporary neo-nationalism and nationalism in the context of globalization with a view to defining the main points of nationalist theories as well as their nature and historical status. The author points out that nationalism is a political thinking on the sovereignty and role of states that rose in modern Europe. It emphasizes the leading role of states in domestic society and their independent status in the international community. It is, in essence, a capitalist ideology, but has different connotation in different historical times and enjoys solid social foundation in countries around the world. Chapter Two analyses political and cultural traditions of Russian nationalism and the background and process of the rise of contemporary Neo-Russian Nationalism. The author points out that neo-nationalism, in essence, stands for social reformist propositions that call for curing the present ills of capitalist society by bringing into full play the role of states. Rising in Russia in the mid-and-late 1990s and aiming to realize national stability and development, Neo-Russian Nationalism refers to a trend of thought that advocates the return of Russia's political and cultural traditions, firmly defending Russia's sovereignty, giving full scope to the role of state and redeeming the nation from the catastrophe of Neo-liberalism. It also refers to the governing philosophy and road of development Russia chose after Putin came into power with reshaping Russia as world power at its core. The road of development Russia is exploring on the whole can be defined as a neo-nationalist road.Chapter Three analyses the political, economic and diplomatic connotation of Neo-Russian Nationalism. Russia, under neo-nationalism, pursues the political policies of developing a national ideology characterized by "new Russian thinking", building a powerful Russia, pursuing controllable and sovereignty-based democracy and taking forceful measures to prevent "color revolution". On the economic front, Russia seeks to enhance the role of state in the economic sector, excise control over economic resources, pursue a new strategic economic thinking and improve market economy to realize economic rejuvenation at an early date. On the diplomatic front, Russia follows the theory of realistic international relations, pursues a strategic thinking of revitalizing Russia as a power and seeking a multi-polar world and a curve of stability on the basis of strong military strength, and adjusts its major foreign policies in line with the changing international situation in an effort to defend Russia's national interests to the fullest possible extent and upgrade its international standing.Chapter Four analyses the development trend of Neo-Russian Nationalism and opportunities and challenges facing China-Russian relations. Personal thinking on ways to promote stable development of China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination in the long run is also offered. The author points out that as Neo-Russian Nationalism continues to consolidate and improve in the years ahead, Russia's discrepancies with the United States in strategic interests and values can hardly be closed and it will find more and more common ground with China in values and course of action. The strategic basis for long-term and stable growth of China-Russia relations is already in place. Yet both sides need to make enormous efforts to make good use of the period of strategic opportunities if they are to further their relations. It is important that they deepen appreciation of the importance of their bilateral ties and each other's history and reality and realize that it is good for both sides to keep their respective house well. They should work to remove disturbances caused by the "China threat theory" and "Russia threat theory" and take more and effective measures to promote sustainable and healthy development of bilateral relations in the interests of their respective national rejuvenation endeavor and the welfare of the two peoples.